Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1887-11-24

men OF the brute creation. The fact Is, I am
tramp from necessity, rather than choice"
81 infer from what you say that you would
gladly abandon this vagsbond life II you
could-am rlghtl" asked Mr.. Montbarrle.
"You are not very far out Of the way
confess" replied his companion.
"From your general manner and way OF ex-
pr ny yourse I, ,o:ge you have not al
wa > been what YOU at present are"
"Rght again." answered the stranger.
"There was time l could hold my head
Ms high as any mans"
"But what caused your downfallf"
Swine, women, and fast associates. IL is
the old story again. Moderate income, ex-
travagant ideas and neglect Of business, re-
sultlng at last In the loss Of friends, credit,
and position" he replied, with a shade OF
sadness IN his tone.
"IIave you no plans for the future"
''None l sometimes indulge in vain
dreams-thnk Of what would do II could
but always awake to the realization that
have no prospect bat misery, no future but
eternity"
There was that intensity of earnestness in
his tone which proved that his words came
from the depths Of his heart.
'If had trade or profession" he added,
81 might succeed in lifting myself out Of the
mire but for a man with no marked ability In
any particular line with only general knowl-
edge Of business, and no influence at his
back, to raise himself once he gets down,
Is next to an lmpossibilty."
IL suppose So" replied Mr.. Montbarrle,
thoughtfully; then, suddenly turning, he ex-
claimed; ~ sincerely beg pardon, but
quite forgot to ask your name"
any name," replied the other, lis Nat Gar
vin-Nathanie, you know, but Nat for short.
l like 1t better-it sounds off hand"
"Mr. Garvin," said bis companion, extend
ing his hand, "you have done me a great SER
vice to-night--doubtless saved my life--and
am very, very grateful to you, aud 1t may be
that l can prove my gratitude In q more sub
stantial manner than by the mere utterance
of words. II you will walk with me to my
hotel, we may be able to hit upon some plan
through which you can recover your lost
position
''Thank you" replied Nat
For some distance they walked along in
silence; then Mr.. Montbarrie suddenly asked:
''If you had a few hundred dollars, what
would you dol"
''Nfy first step would be to break away from
old associations. ! should leave the country,
seek new field, and work hard to establish
myself and become gentleman once again"
"Where would you go to commence your
new life, If YOU had moneyP
ITO Australia, think" replied Nat 1T
is n new country, and l understand man Of
grit and energy can accomplish wonders
there"
SLOW much money would you require to
carry out your planr
II do not know" Nat answered. II have
never cacula ted"
DO you consider $500 would be enoughp
'More than enough"
"Mr. Garvin, have confidence in you,"
and Mr.. Montbarre laid his hand upon his
companions shoulder, "and / will give you
that sum to night"
For moment Nat stood motionless; he was
dumb with astonisbment. Then he seized the
hand Of his new friend and made an effort TO
express his gratitude; but his heart was too
full-he could not speak. Something warm
fell upon Mr.. Montbarrie's hand. He knew 1t
was tear, and it spoke what words could not
express.
When Nat Garvin parted with Mr.. Mont
barrie, half an hour later, he was the posses
sor of $500, and his heart was OVERLOOKING
with happiness at the prospect of new life
before him. He was almost beside himself
with JOY. lie wept and laughed In turns as
he walked along. At length he stopped be-
fore an unpreteutious house, which stood
back come distance from the road. Opening
the gate, he crossed the plot of ground
before 1t and knocked at the door. A woman,
carrying a child in her arms, answered his
summons.
HAS Robert been here tonightl' he
asked.
"Yes; he was here about half an hour
ago." she answered ale was excited, and
acted very strangely-unlike himself. He
tod me he was going away tonight; and had
come for the things he left here before he
got the place over at the hotel. He got them
together, rolled them up bid me good-by, and
started Off"
"Did he not tell you where he was going, or
when he would returu!" he asked.
mo" replied the woman. That's the
strangest part OF it. II had not known Bob
Stanford these five months, should say he
had been doing something wrong. and was
running away for fear OF its being found out
But that can't be. I'm altogether perpexed."
$50 ain ]" lie replied. Then, bidding the
woman goodnight, he turned away.
Poor fellowl' he said to himself, some
pity him from the bottom of my heart. Poor
away in the darkness.